Graham Triumphs CIK "U18" WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Talking toANTONIO KEKATIXPS - EIKO

Technical sideCARBURETION IN 60cc

ROTAX GRAND FINALS, AL AIN (UAE)

UKYO SASAHARA, BEN COOPER, PIER-LUC OUELLETTE AND CRISTIANO MORGADO GRAB THEIR SECOND TITLE IN THE MOST ANTICIPATED SINGLE-MAKE SERIES EVENT OF THE SEASON.

Doubling Up in Al Ain

SPECIAL - CHASSIS HOMOLOGATION 2012/2018 PART 1

PHO

TO B

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INTERNATIONAL KARTING

N°127 - DECEMBER 2011 - 5.00 EURO (Italy only) www.vroom.it

CIK-FIA WORLD KF1 CHAMPIONSHIP - SUZUKA (J)

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raceROTAX MAX CHALLENGE GRAND FINALS 2011, AL AIN (UAE) 23-26th NOVEMBER 2011

Vroom international magazine30

Experienced driver Ben Cooper clinches the title in Senior Max. The fast Briton beat another supreme driver with an outstanding personal score, David Sera from Australia. Japan’s Sasaki ends 3rd.

Vroom international magazine 31

IN AL AINDOUBLING UP

aL aIN raceway (Uae)www.alainraceway.com

Al Ain Raceway, P.O. BOX: 85393, Al Ain, UAE.Tel: +971 (0)3 768 6662 - Fax: +971 (0)3 768 8477Lenght: 1,400 metreswidth: 8-12 metresPaddock and parking: big and fully serviced

The 12th edition of the Rotax Grand Finals is currently

taking place in Al Ain Raceway (UAE). A total of 265

drivers from more than 58 countries joined in to the

most anticipated Rotax event of the season. Hoping that

the final results remain pleasantly exceptional for the

good of the competition, the track response says that all

four winners already took the title in previous editions.

RepoRt s. muRtas / photos B.Kaligis, Rotax p.o.

E xceptionally, Al Ain Raceway will go down in Rotax Grand Finals history as the venue that saw three former Rotax World champions making it double in Al Ain in the same class: Ukyo Sasahara in Junior (champion in 2009), Ben Cooper in Senior (champion in 2008), and Pier-Luc Ouellette in DD2 (champion in 2007 on this very same track). Cristiano Morgado, 2003 MAX champion, took the title in DD2 Masters. Sure enough, this is by no means something ordinary, and yet it could be a hint of the fact that the new kids on the block are finding it hard to beat the ‘old guys’ in an event where experience seems

of huge importance. Interesting to note also that two of the four champions took the title in the Rotax Euro Challenge this season (namely Sasahara and Cooper). Before drawing the line, let’s wait and see what happens in next year’s Grand Finals, but in the meantime a consideration must be made. Should there be a rule imposing former champions to participate in a different category? Suggestions are welcome...Before we go into the track response of the many sessions disputed over the week, we have to quickly fast-forward to the celebration party held on Saturday night, where the venue for the 2012 Rotax Grand Finals edition was announced. In 2012, the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals will take place at the Kartodromo Algarve in Portimao, Portugal, from November 27th until December 1st.

raceROTAX MAX CHALLENGE GRAND FINALS 2011

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE32

Despite being consistenly on top in DD2, Pier-Luc Ouellette (353)

has to race his boots off in order to have the better of tough customers

such as Jason Pringle (355) from Australia, fellow countryman

Nicholas Latifi (340), Finland’s Jari Huttunen (332) and South African

Marc Murray (350).Opposite page, Junior and DD2

Masters podium winners, and the final start of Senior class, with Ben

Cooper (222) firmly in command, followed by David Sera (253) and

Sean Babington (217). In the chasing group Tyler Greenbury (235) leads

the pack.

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 33

The race

QUALIFYING PRACTICE The Qualifying practice held on Wednsday told that Japan’s Ukyo Sasahara stopped the fastest time (57”744) in Junior, with his fellow countryman Tadasuke Makino coming 0”003 short of pole. In Senior, Briton Sean Babington stopped a very fast 56”787 for pole, with 2008 World Senior champion Ben Cooper also from the UK hitting second fastest by 0”043. In the two gearbox classes, 2007 champion Pier-Luc Ouellette from Canada pulled off a very fast 55”562 for DD2 pole – with the fi ve fastest drivers all within one tenth – and South African Cristiano Morgado stopped the time at 56”222 in DD2 Masters.

QUALIFYING HEATSOn Thursday and Friday the racing was tough, with lots of exciting battles on track for the qualifying heats. In Junior, Makino with two wins and a 2nd place was sided by fellow Japan driver Sasahara on the front row, the latter with two wins and a 3rd. Mawson from Australia (one win) and Morin from Sweden (once 3rd as best result) were sitting on row 2. Big disappointment for British driver Barlow, who despite a 2nd and a 3rd had to start from 8th after fi nishing 17th in heat 1. Another potential protagonist was Australia’s Pierce Lehane, who took a 4th and 2nd ruined by a dead last place in the conclusive heat to start 20th on prefi nal grid.In Senior, 3 British drivers in the fi rst 6 positions, with Cooper (two wins and a

ROTAX SENIOR PREFINAL

P N Driver NAT LAPS1 222 Cooper, Ben United Kingdom 14 in 13:19.4442 253 Sera, David Australia + 0.4893 217 Babington, Sean United Kingdom + 3.1534 219 Brand, Edward United Kingdom + 3.1915 262 Sasaki, Hirotaka Japan + 3.3516 235 Greenbury, Tyler Australia + 3.7277 230 Forman, Jiri Czech Republic + 4.0568 255 Nekeel, Stepanova United States + 4.5669 260 Riener, Stefan Austria + 5.996

10 229 Finkelstein, Alexandre France + 6.74311 223 Correia, Joao Portugal + 6.80212 280 Dabski, Karol Poland + 8.74213 281 De Maio, Josh Australia + 9.03914 243 Komnos, Nikolaos Greece +11.03115 272 Van Den Brand, Mats Netherlands +11.11216 274 Zenkin, Alexander Russia +11.27617 264 Sirvio, Jan-Mikael Finland +12.05518 268 Szigeti, Steven Canada +12.76119 232 Frost, Ryan South Africa +13.83220 239 Jurkovic, Matija Slovenia +17.06621 256 Orueta, Maximiliano Chile +17.41522 258 Picot, Nicolas France +17.54923 240 Kancsar, Ferenc Hungary +17.65624 269 Talvar, Aavo Estonia +17.71325 263 Sekioka, Toshiki Japan +17.73426 226 Faria, Jose Pedro Portugal +17.77627 247 Lindgren, Linus Sweden +19.42528 257 Pagliarani, Claudio Italy +23.21729 231 Friedrich, Christopher Germany -2 L30 266 Spaulding, Kiel United States -5 L31 241 King, Andy United Kingdom -9 L32 225 Dileo, Marco Canada -13 L33 271 Van Beurden, Chad South Africa -13 L34 277 Claes, Nicolas Belgium -13 L

ROTAX SENIOR FINAL

P N Driver NAT LAPS1 222 Cooper, Ben United Kingdom 21 in 20:03.7842 253 Sera, David Australia + 0.9483 262 Sasaki, Hirotaka Japan + 5.6274 229 Finkelstein, Alexandre France + 6.5115 255 Nekeel, Stepanova United States + 6.8196 281 De Maio, Josh Australia + 7.0797 230 Forman, Jiri Czech Republic + 7.5358 225 Dileo, Marco Canada + 9.9569 269 Talvar, Aavo Estonia +10.091

10 241 King, Andy United Kingdom +10.30111 274 Zenkin, Alexander Russia +10.45512 239 Jurkovic, Matija Slovenia +12.54413 243 Komnos, Nikolaos Greece +12.67614 280 Dabski, Karol Poland +13.59015 223 Correia, Joao Portugal +13.65216 240 Kancsar, Ferenc Hungary +13.73717 263 Sekioka, Toshiki Japan +16.06418 260 Riener, Stefan Austria +16.27319 271 Van Beurden, Chad South Africa +16.40320 257 Pagliarani, Claudio Italy +16.62521 258 Picot, Nicolas France +16.99722 277 Claes, Nicolas Belgium +17.86023 264 Sirvio, Jan-Mikael Finland +21.51824 268 Szigeti, Steven Canada +21.69825 232 Frost, Ryan South Africa +22.84426 235 Greenbury, Tyler Australia +26.00227 272 Van Den Brand, Mats Netherlands -5 R28 217 Babington, Sean United Kingdom -11 R29 266 Spaulding, Kiel United States -14 R30 226 Faria, Jose Pedro Portugal -14 R31 247 Lindgren, Linus Sweden -19 R32 256 Orueta, Maximiliano Chile -20 R33 231 Friedrich, Christopher Germany -----34 219 Brand, Edward United Kingdom -----

raceROTAX MAX CHALLENGE GRAND FINALS 2011

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ROTAX DD2 PREFINAL

P N Driver NAT LAPS1 353 Ouellette, Pier-Luc Canada 14 in 13:05.5142 340 Latifi , Nicholas Canada + 1.1693 355 Pringle, Jason Australia + 1.7424 332 Huttunen, Jari Finland + 2.3875 333 Jensen, Andreas Denmark + 2.7636 314 Brittz, Eugene South Africa + 2.9677 331 Hildebrand, Kenneth Estonia + 3.1238 313 Boisclair, Christophe Canada + 3.4309 363 Vann, Georg Estonia + 4.622

10 350 Murray, Marc South Africa + 5.14111 320 De Ruwe, Xen Belgium + 5.32712 360 Szymkowiak, Jules Belgium + 5.83613 375 Ward, Damian Australia + 5.90514 362 Toth, Peter Hungary + 7.42015 324 Fleischmann, Maximilian Germany + 7.84716 330 Herder, Kyle Canada + 8.10017 338 Laiho, Miika Finland + 9.01618 334 Juodvirsis, Simas Lithuania + 9.38619 348 Mc Ewan, Tyler Canada + 10.29520 367 White, Darren Canada + 10.37321 312 Bakker, Roy Netherlands + 10.44322 337 Kolarov, Vasil Bulgaria + 11.17123 373 Raymakers, Christophe Belgium + 12.61624 339 Lapins, Martins Latvia + 13.29525 328 Gravouille, Maxime France + 14.84126 321 Detige, Mathias Belgium + 15.33627 359 Steinerts, Martins Latvia + 16.58228 374 Nelson, Brendan Australia + 19.51929 341 Leitao, Eduardo Portugal + 22.66330 352 Orrock, Lucas United Kingdom + 44.05631 368 Young, Ian South Africa -3 R32 335 Kitazono, Shota Japan -6 R33 365 Wagner, Simon Austria -11 R34 322 Dragan, Tomi Romania -11 R

ROTAX DD2 FINAL

P N Driver NAT LAPS1 353 Ouellette, Pier-Luc Canada 21 in 19:40.2522 355 Pringle, Jason Australia + 0.0663 363 Vann, Georg Estonia + 0.3204 375 Ward, Damian Australia + 1.3325 350 Murray, Marc South Africa + 1.3326 330 Herder, Kyle Canada + 1.3547 340 Latifi , Nicholas Canada + 1.5668 321 Detige, Mathias Belgium + 4.8269 312 Bakker, Roy Netherlands + 4.991

10 320 De Ruwe, Xen Belgium + 6.58111 331 Hildebrand, Kenneth Estonia + 7.22212 341 Leitao, Eduardo Portugal + 7.96413 313 Boisclair, Christophe Canada + 8.04714 360 Szymkowiak, Jules Belgium + 8.19315 334 Juodvirsis, Simas Lithuania + 8.45316 365 Wagner, Simon Austria + 8.94917 374 Nelson, Brendan Australia + 9.13218 362 Toth, Peter Hungary + 9.25319 368 Young, Ian South Africa + 9.51520 335 Kitazono, Shota Japan + 9.70221 332 Huttunen, Jari Finland + 10.16822 359 Steinerts, Martins Latvia + 10.33123 339 Lapins, Martins Latvia + 10.42024 352 Orrock, Lucas United Kingdom + 11.06325 348 Mc Ewan, Tyler Canada + 11.77926 338 Laiho, Miika Finland + 19.63727 314 Brittz, Eugene South Africa + 19.81228 367 White, Darren Canada + 20.62229 373 Raymakers, Christophe Belgium + 20.83430 324 Fleischmann, Maximilian Germany -12 R31 337 Kolarov, Vasil Bulgaria -20 R32 333 Jensen, Andreas Denmark -----33 322 Dragan, Tomi Romania -----

2nd place) and Babington (two wins and a 5th place) taking advantage of front row. Australia’s David Sera (two 2nd and a 3rd place) sided by Andy King (one 2nd as best result) on row 2, and Sasaki from Japan sharing row 3 with Britain’s Ed Brand.Bad luck for Poland’s Karol Dabski who is forced to start 10th as a result of a 22nd place in heat 2 after a win and a 2nd place. Just like Austria’s Stefan Riener, 13th on prefi nal grid (26-2-1).In DD2, after grabbing the pole in qualifying, Pier-Luc Ouellette sit on front row next to Finland’s Laiho on level points, while Pringle (Australia) and Murray (South Africa)

shared row 2, all with one heat win. Row 3 was fi lled by Finland’s Huttunen and Belgian Mathias Detige. Final win hopefuls also included Nicholas Latifi and Xen de Ruwe both with one win, yet starting 9th and 17th respectively due to one bad heat result.In DD2 Masters, Morgado carried on his superb weekend by taking the win in all of his heats, to share the front row with 2010 class champion Scott Campbell (one win and a 2nd place). Danny Brand from Belgium and Dennis Kroes from Holland sit on row 2. France’s Guillaume Berteaux also took one win and shared row 3 with Denmark’s Peter Lundstroem.

PARTYING, WHILE YOU ARE AT IT...Not only track time for the 265 drivers and their family and friends who stayed in Al Ain. A total of three parties have been thrown to make everyone feel the Rotax spirit. On Sunday prior to the event, the Welcome Party with food and drinks, made even more exciting by the classic Tyre Changing contest where the mechanics had to show all their skills in mounting a set of tyres on the AMV Tiger rims in the fastest time. On Wednesday, after of cial Qualifying, the Mid Week BBQ organized on the circuit, and the Grand Finals Drivers party, where the 2012 location of the Rotax Grand Finals was also announced, which ended the event in style.

The Tyre Changing Competition during the Welcome party. Not only tough racing action to

keep drivers and mechanics busy, also some chilling-out sessions at the three parties organized

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 35

ALWAYS CONNECTEDThe event has been a great success not only for those present at the outstanding facility of Al Ain, but also for those following the real time updates from the other side of the world. The BRP team exceeded expectations by having a Live Timing page, a Race TV website and a Facebook page completely dedicated to the event, constantly updated. The Live Timing page has been an essential tool also for the many reporters and journalists present on site. The Race TV website hosted a total of 38 videos, including interviews and on-track action, for the amusement of all. Also the Facebook page was a huge hit, with over 7,000 fans, and almost 800 pictures uploaded, regularly garnished by funny comments.

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raceROTAX MAX CHALLENGE GRAND FINALS 2011

Vroom international magazine36

Vroom international magazine 37

ROTAX juniOR PREFINAL

P N Driver Nat LaPs1 151 Makino, Tadasuke Japan 11 in 10:44.5442 180 Mawson, Joseph Australia + 0.0213 164 Sasahara, Ukyo Japan + 0.1794 134 Hare, Aston South Africa + 0.2015 129 Esmeijer, Janneau Netherlands + 1.0626 148 Lehane, Pierce Australia + 3.1277 175 Van Moorsel, Jordi Netherlands + 3.2868 157 Müller, Nico Germany + 3.6569 136 Harrison, Nathan United Kingdom + 4.005

10 170 Swärd, William Sweden + 4.75611 133 Guenette, Alex Canada + 5.07912 121 Borlido, Bruno Portugal + 5.10613 167 Singleton, James United Kingdom + 5.63614 123 Cormack, Darragh Ireland + 5.72215 156 Morin, Philip Sweden + 7.59816 146 Korolev, Artem Canada + 8.09617 169 Stewart, Michael Australia + 9.30618 125 Craig, Jake United States + 9.36219 171 Tanaka, Teruhisa Japan + 9.72220 144 Kivi, Kairo Estonia + 9.80521 168 Specken, Guust Netherlands + 12.94122 115 Ang, Gilbert Malaysia + 13.80623 119 Bedard, Olivier Canada + 14.08824 176 Wautier, Khan Thailand + 14.16225 135 Harker, Reid New Zealand + 14.40326 131 Fukuzumi, Nirei Japan + 14.85727 145 Kooijman, Finn S.C. Netherlands + 17.01528 124 Cozzaglio, Francesca Ecuador + 21.31129 140 Iatcenko, Andrey Russia + 33.98330 141 Itkonen, Wille Finland + 45.56231 161 Polakovich, Mateo Argentina -7 L32 147 Lazare, Jesse Canada -10 L33 118 Barlow, Jack United Kingdom -----34 159 Pastorok, Patrik Slovakia -----

ROTAX juniOR FINAL

P N Driver Nat LaPs1 164 Sasahara, Ukyo Japan 18 in 17:32.5472 180 Mawson, Joseph Australia + 2.5673 167 Singleton, James United Kingdom + 6.4654 175 Van Moorsel, Jordi Netherlands + 6.9135 131 Fukuzumi, Nirei Japan + 7.1246 136 Harrison, Nathan United Kingdom + 7.3177 145 Kooijman, Finn S.C. Netherlands + 7.4178 168 Specken, Guust Netherlands + 7.6149 144 Kivi, Kairo Estonia + 7.752

10 156 Morin, Philip Sweden + 8.18711 119 Bedard, Olivier Canada +10.36812 133 Guenette, Alex Canada +10.74613 170 Swärd, William Sweden +11.44014 123 Cormack, Darragh Ireland +11.50115 148 Lehane, Pierce Australia +11.67616 141 Itkonen, Wille Finland +14.58017 147 Lazare, Jesse Canada +15.09318 146 Korolev, Artem Canada +17.71119 171 Tanaka, Teruhisa Japan +17.80220 157 Müller, Nico Germany +18.75821 115 Ang, Gilbert Malaysia +21.70922 124 Cozzaglio, Francesca Ecuador +23.16423 125 Craig, Jake United States +24.63424 169 Stewart, Michael Australia +27.96025 161 Polakovich, Mateo Argentina +30.58126 118 Barlow, Jack United Kingdom +44.19327 135 Harker, Reid New Zealand +49.84128 176 Wautier, Khan Thailand -9 R29 151 Makino, Tadasuke Japan -----30 134 Hare, Aston South Africa -----31 121 Borlido, Bruno Portugal -----32 140 Iatcenko, Andrey Russia -----33 159 Pastorok, Patrik Slovakia -----34 129 Esmeijer, Janneau Netherlands -----

In 2012, the Rotax Max Challenge gRand FInals

wIll take plaCe at the kaRtodRoMo algaRve

In poRtIMao, poRtugal, FRoM noveMbeR 27th untIl

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raceROTAX MAX CHALLENGE GRAND FINALS 2011

Vroom international magazine38

PREFINAL AND FINALAfter two very busy days of practice and qualifying heats, Saturday was the day of prefi nals and fi nals.In Junior, Sasahara stayed out of trouble in the prefi nal fi nishing 3rd behind Mawson from Australia and his Japanese teammate Makino. Lehane made a huge leap forward closing in 6th, Barlow was out right after the start, and Morin dropped to 15th. Singleton was another to drop positions (from 9th to 13th) whereas 2010 Junior champion Jordi Van Moorsel came back from 21st (despite two good heats) to fi nish 7th.The fi nal instead saw Ukyo storming through the fi eld to build a 2”5 lead over Mawson, with Britain’s James Singleton 3rd as Makino was forced to retire early on due to a contact while in the lead. Van Moorsel managed to gain 3 positions by the end, with Fukuzumi rounding up the top fi ve.In Senior, not much changed compared to the heats, as Ben Cooper left nothing behind. He dominated the prefi nal over Sera

RGMMC – ROTAX: THE FEAST GOES ONAl Ain Raceway played host not only to the most anticipated Rotax event of the season. It was also the stage of one of the most important business meetings for the future of the most successful Rotax series in the European continent, the Rotax

Max Euro Challenge. RGMMC owner Roland Geidel, the charismatic organizer of the top Rotax European series, met with BRP-Powertrain Manager Christian Mundigler and stroke an exclusive deal that will make sure the RGMMC – Rotax partnership will continue to produce one of the most exciting karting series until 2016.

“I want to thank BRP-Powertrain for renewing their trust in our organization – Roland Geidel says. The Rotax Euro Challenge has come a long way since its inception in 2004, and yet the philosophy has remained intact. Bringing new drivers in the sport of karting through our series, which ensures fair and exciting competition open to all, will continue to be RGMMC and Rotax common goal.”

“BRP-Powertrain is very happy to renew the contract with RGMMC for the exclusive organization of the Rotax MAX Euro Challenge untill 2016 – states Christian Mundigler. It’s one of our most successful relationships to date in the promotion of our concept, which stands for fair and safe competition with good sportmanship. The cooperation with RGMMC will be further extended by introducing new projects for more Rotax racing activities in order to attract more Hobby and Amateur Racers and to show to the public how COOL Karting is.”

Right, Jack Barlow (118) from the UK has a disappointing weekend in Junior. After doing well in 2 of his 3 heats, the young Brit is out right after the prefinal start. Opposite page, DD2 Masters field with Morgado (437) leading the field, with Lundstrom (433) and Kroes (428) on his rear bumper. Final runner-up Brand (415) is there too.

ROTAX DD2-MASTERS PREFINAL

P N Driver NAT LAPS1 437 Morgado, Cristiano South Africa 14 in 13:10.0052 415 Brand, Danny Belgium + 1.3663 428 Kroes, Dennis Netherlands + 2.0374 416 Campbell, Scott Canada + 3.1335 433 Lundstroem, Peter Denmark + 3.2836 423 Hargitai, Gerry Hungary + 6.1327 442 Pansart, Guy France + 6.1828 430 Lambert, Florent United Kingdom + 8.2169 438 Mukhin, Igor Russia + 9.260

10 412 Berteaux, Guillaume France + 10.18011 450 Victorsson, Martin Sweden + 10.24012 419 Davis, Colin United Kingdom + 10.41213 424 Ivichek, David Canada + 10.51214 418 Coghlan, Brent Australia + 10.80715 422 Guerrero, Santiago Colombia + 10.94416 427 Knopjes, Maurits UAE + 13.15917 414 Bouf, Arnaud UAE + 13.35518 429 Kyotake, Kengo Japan + 13.66819 456 Perez-Santander, Jesus Spain + 14.07120 457 Felix, Pedro Portugal + 15.65521 445 Rodriguez, Johannes Venezuela + 15.77922 436 Matsuya, Takao Japan + 15.96123 447 Salerno, Juan Pablo Argentina + 16.30824 410 Adams, Christophe Belgium + 18.69325 425 Jackson, Eric United States + 20.55326 420 Dimitriou, Nicos Cyprus + 28.58427 417 Clark, Stuart Canada + 30.95628 434 Martinelli, Rene United States + 32.12429 435 Matis, Andreas Germany -7 R30 449 Van Wyk, John South Africa -11 R31 439 Nurkkala, Tero Finland -----32 452 Currie, Steven New Zealand -----33 446 Rouxel, Franck France -----34 421 Gosevits, Stoyan Greece -----

ROTAX DD2-MASTERS FINAL

P N Driver NAT LAPS1 437 Morgado, Cristiano South Africa 21 in 19:51.5562 415 Brand, Danny Belgium + 4.7743 412 Berteaux, Guillaume France + 9.0544 423 Hargitai, Gerry Hungary + 9.0895 418 Coghlan, Brent Australia + 9.1296 410 Adams, Christophe Belgium + 9.7097 427 Knopjes, Maurits UAE + 10.0398 419 Davis, Colin United Kingdom + 10.2629 417 Clark, Stuart Canada + 10.625

10 430 Lambert, Florent United Kingdom + 12.04411 425 Jackson, Eric United States + 12.94212 442 Pansart, Guy France + 13.11613 447 Salerno, Juan Pablo Argentina + 14.46514 436 Matsuya, Takao Japan + 15.72115 438 Mukhin, Igor Russia + 17.02916 424 Ivichek, David Canada + 17.09217 422 Guerrero, Santiago Colombia + 17.79018 449 Van Wyk, John South Africa + 18.00219 450 Victorsson, Martin Sweden + 18.33820 446 Rouxel, Franck France + 18.78521 445 Rodriguez, Johannes Venezuela + 19.32322 439 Nurkkala, Tero Finland + 20.24123 420 Dimitriou, Nicos Cyprus + 21.40724 452 Currie, Steven New Zealand + 33.05725 434 Martinelli, Rene United States + 34.73826 414 Bouf, Arnaud UAE + 40.30127 433 Lundstroem, Peter Denmark -1 R28 421 Gosevits, Stoyan Greece -12 R29 428 Kroes, Dennis Netherlands -----30 416 Campbell, Scott Canada -----31 456 Perez-Santander, Jesus Spain -----32 457 Felix, Pedro Portugal -----33 435 Matis, Andreas Germany -----34 429 Kyotake, Kengo Japan -----

Vroom international magazine 39

In the fInal, Morgado was even More doMInatIng, takIng a 4”8 wIn over Brand, as kroes and CaMpBell took eaCh other out at the start.

raceROTAX MAX CHALLENGE GRAND FINALS 2011

Vroom international magazine40

and Babington, with Brand fi nishing 4th, just ahead of Sasaki. Riener came back up strong to fi nish 9th, while King was forced to retire on lap 6. In the fi nal Cooper repeated himself and took a straightforward win over Sera by almost 1”, the latter forced to fi ght it out with Babington and fellow Aussie Greenbury in the early stages. Finkelstein and Riener came into play, the latter dropping at the back while fi ghting for honours, and Sasaki took advantage of it to grab the last podium place. Sekioka and Riener completed the top fi ve, but received 10” penalty which dropped down the order.Big racing action in DD2, as Pier-Luc Ouellette, already class champion in 2007

again in Al Ain, bested the competition in style. In prefi nal he had the better of Latifi , Pringle, Huttunen and Jensen in that order, with De Ruwe coming up strong to fi nish 11th. The fi nal was somewhat more controversial in the later stages, with Huttunen 3rd at the fi nish line being infl icted a 10” penalty for having pushed Latifi out while fi ghting for the podium. But the fi ghting was tough, with several changes at the lead. Pringle was the man on top at half race distance, but the shuffl ing continued till the very last lap, when the Australian gave it all to fi nish 0”066 off the title, with Huttunen following 1 tenth down. Following the Finn being demoted, Georg Vann from Estonia

inherited 3rd.In DD2 Masters, Cristiano Morgado was surely above everyone else on the weekend, infl icting bad punishment on the competition. In the prefi nal, the South African took an easy 1”4 win over experienced Belgian driver Danny Brand, with Kroes (fastest lap of the race) and 2010 winner Scott Campbell following behind. In the fi nal, Morgado was even more dominating, taking a 4”8 win over Brand, as Kroes and Campbell took each other out at the start. The fi ght for 2nd saw also Lundstrom and Hargitai taking part, but they were both taken at the last lap by Berteaux who completed the podium.

Above, Japan’s Tadasuke Makino (151) is off pole position in both Junior prefinal and final, but a contact will force him out of the race in the early stages. Final runner-up Joseph Mawson (180) takes the outside line ahead of Australia’s Pierce Lehane (148), while Estonian Esmeijer (129) can’t take advantage of his 5th position in the prefinal as he will not end the final race. Below, Damien Ward (375) leads Georg Vann (363)

BIg raCIng aCtIon In dd2, as pIer-luC ouellette, alreadY Class ChaMpIon In 2007 agaIn In al aIn, Bested the CoMpetItIon In stYle.